Audio device configured for daisy chaining

ABSTRACT

A method and system for daisy chaining tournament audio controllers, where the method comprises, in a headset coupled to a first audio controller, the first audio controller being in a daisy chain of audio controllers: receiving a chat signal from a second audio controller in the daisy chain of audio controllers, receiving a microphone signal from a microphone in the headset, summing the chat signal with the microphone signal, communicating the summed signal to a third audio controllers in the daisy chain, and communicating the chat signal to the headset. The microphone signal may be removed from the summed chat signal and microphone signal by adding a second microphone signal 180 degrees out of phase with the microphone signal. The chat signal may be summed with the microphone signal at an amplitude set by a user of the headset after the removal of the microphone signal.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/846,729filed on Apr. 13, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,880,652, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 16/279,442 filed on Feb. 19, 2019,now Pat. No. 10,623,863, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.15/232,063 filed on Aug. 9, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,212,520, which isa continuation of application Ser. No. 14/821,109 filed on Aug. 7, 2015,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,415,308.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present application relate to audio headsets, and morespecifically, to methods and systems for daisy chaining tournament audiocontrollers.

BACKGROUND

Limitations and disadvantages of conventional approaches to headsetnetworking will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such approaches with some aspects of the present methodand system set forth in the remainder of this disclosure with referenceto the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Methods and systems are provided for daisy chaining tournament audiocontrollers, substantially as illustrated by and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an example gaming console.

FIG. 1B depicts an example gaming audio subsystem comprising a headsetand a tournament audio controller.

FIG. 1C depicts the example gaming console and an associated network ofperipheral devices.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict two views of an example embodiment of a gamingheadset.

FIG. 2C depicts a block diagram of the example headset of FIGS. 2A and2B.

FIG. 3 depicts headsets coupled to daisy-chained tournament audiocontrollers.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of a tournament audio controller, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for daisy chainingtournament audio controllers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects of the disclosure may be found in daisy chainingtournament audio controllers. Example aspects of the disclosure maycomprise, in a headset coupled to a first tournament audio controller(TAC), where the first TAC is in a daisy chain of TACs: receiving a chatsignal from a previous TAC in the daisy chain of TACs, receiving amicrophone signal from a microphone in the headset, summing the chatsignal with the microphone signal, communicating the summed chat signaland microphone signal to a next TAC in the daisy chain if the first TACis not at an end of the daisy chain of TACs, and communicating the chatsignal to the headset. The microphone signal may be removed from thesummed chat signal and microphone signal by adding a second microphonesignal 180 degrees out of phase with the microphone signal. The chatsignal may be summed with the microphone signal at an amplitude set by auser of the headset after the removal of the microphone signal from thesummed chat signal and microphone signal. The summed chat signal andmicrophone signal (summed at an amplitude set by the user) may becommunicated to the headset. The summed chat signal and microphonesignal may be communicated to the previous TAC in the daisy chain if thefirst TAC is at an end of the daisy chain of TACs. A signal from agaming console may be summed with the summed chat signal and microphonesignal. Each TAC in the daisy chain of TACs may be coupled to a headset.The chat signal may comprise audio from the headsets coupled to each ofthe TACs in the daisy chain. The received chat signal may be convertedfrom a differential signal to a single-ended signal before being summedwith the microphone signal.

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and maycomprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines ofcode. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items inthe list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means anyelement of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “xand/or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means“one or more of x, y and z”. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary”means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists ofone or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. Asutilized herein, circuitry or a device is “operable” to perform afunction whenever the circuitry or device comprises the necessaryhardware and code (if any is necessary) to perform the function,regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled or notenabled (e.g., by a user-configurable setting, factory trim, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown game console 176 which may be, forexample, a Windows computing device, a Unix computing device, a Linuxcomputing device, an Apple OSX computing device, an Apple iOS computingdevice, an Android computing device, a Microsoft Xbox, a SonyPlaystation, a Nintendo Wii, or the like. The example game console 176comprises a radio 126, network interface 130, video interface 132, audiointerface 134, southbridge 150, main system on chip (SoC) 148, memory162, optical drive 172, and storage device 174. The SoC 148 comprisescentral processing unit (CPU) 154, graphics processing unit (GPU) 156,audio processing unit (APU) 158, cache memory 164, and memory managementunit (MMU) 166. The various components of the game console 176 arecommunicatively coupled through various busses/links 136, 138, 142, 144,146, 152, 160, 169, and 170.

The southbridge 150 comprises circuitry that supports one or more databus protocols such as High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI),Universal Serial Bus (USB), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment 2(SATA 2), embedded multimedia card interface (e.MMC), PeripheralComponent Interconnect Express (PCIe), or the like. The southbridge 150may receive audio and/or video from an external source via link 112(e.g., HDMI), from the optical drive (e.g., Blu-Ray) 172 via link 168(e.g., SATA 2), and/or from storage 174 (e.g., hard drive, FLASH memory,or the like) via link 170 (e.g., SATA 2 and/or e.MMC). Digital audioand/or video is output to the SoC 148 via link 136 (e.g., CEA-861-Ecompliant video and IEC 61937 compliant audio). The southbridge 150exchanges data with radio 126 via link 138 (e.g., USB), with externaldevices via link 140 (e.g., USB), with the storage 174 via the link 170,and with the SoC 148 via the link 152 (e.g., PCIe).

The radio 126 comprises circuitry operable to communicate in accordancewith one or more wireless standards such as the IEEE 802.11 family ofstandards, the Bluetooth family of standards, and/or the like.

The network interface 130 may comprise circuitry operable to communicatein accordance with one or more wired standards and to convert betweenwired standards. For example, the network interface 130 may communicatewith the SoC 148 via link 142 using a first standard (e.g., PCIe) andmay communicate with the network 106 using a second standard (e.g.,gigabit Ethernet).

The video interface 132 may comprise circuitry operable to communicatevideo in accordance with one or more wired or wireless videotransmission standards. For example, the video interface 132 may receiveCEA-861-E compliant video data via link 144 and encapsulate/format/etc.,the video data in accordance with an HDMI standard for output to themonitor 108 via an HDMI link 120.

The audio interface 134 may comprise circuitry operable to communicateaudio in accordance with one or more wired or wireless audiotransmission standards. For example, the audio interface 134 may receiveCEA-861-E compliant video data via link 144 and encapsulate/format/etc.The video data in accordance with an HDMI standard for output to themonitor 108 via an HDMI link 120.

The central processing unit (CPU) 154 may comprise circuitry operable toexecute instructions for controlling/coordinating the overall operationof the game console 176. Such instructions may be part of an operatingsystem of the console and/or part of one or more software applicationsrunning on the console.

The graphics processing unit (GPU) 156 may comprise circuitry operableto perform graphics processing functions such as compression,decompression, encoding, decoding, 3D rendering, and/or the like.

The audio processing unit (APU) 158 may comprise circuitry operable toperform audio processing functions such as volume/gain control,compression, decompression, encoding, decoding, surround-soundprocessing, and/or the like to output single channel or multi-channel(e.g., 2 channels for stereo or 5, 7, or more channels for surroundsound) audio signals. The APU 158 comprises memory (e.g., volatileand/or non-volatile memory) 159 which stores parameter settings thataffect processing of audio by the APU 158. For example, the parametersettings may include a first audio gain/volume setting that determines,at least in part, a volume of game audio output by the console 176 and asecond audio gain/volume setting that determines, at least in part, avolume of chat audio output by the console 176. The parameter settingsmay be modified via a graphical user interface (GUI) of the consoleand/or via an application programming interface (API) provided by theconsole 176.

The cache memory 164 comprises high-speed memory (typically DRAM) foruse by the CPU 154, GPU 156, and/or APU 158. The memory 162 may compriseadditional memory for use by the CPU 154, GPU 156, and/or APU 158. Thememory 162, typically DRAM, may operate at a slower speed than the cachememory 164 but may also be less expensive than cache memory as well asoperate at a higher-speed than the memory of the storage device 174. TheMMU 166 controls accesses by the CPU 154, GPU 156, and/or APU 158 to thememory 162, the cache 164, and/or the storage device 174.

In FIG. 1A, the example game console 176 is communicatively coupled to auser interface device 102, a user interface device 104, a network 106, amonitor 108, and audio subsystem 110.

Each of the user interface devices 102 and 104 may comprise, forexample, a game controller, a keyboard, a motion sensor/positiontracker, or the like. The user interface device 102 communicates withthe game console 176 wirelessly via link 114 (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct,Bluetooth, and/or the like). The user interface device 102 communicateswith the game console 176 via the wired link 140 (e.g., USB or thelike).

The network 160 comprises a local area network and/or a wide areanetwork. The game console 176 communicates with the network 106 viawired link 118 (e.g., gigabit Ethernet).

The monitor 108 may be, for example, a LCD, OLED, or PLASMA screen. Thegame console 176 sends video to the monitor 108 via link 120 (e.g.,HDMI).

The audio subsystem 110 may be, for example, a headset, a combination ofheadset and audio basestation, or a set of speakers and accompanyingaudio processing circuitry. The game console 176 sends audio to thesubsystem 110 via link(s) 122 (e.g., S/PDIF for digital audio or “lineout” for analog audio). In an example scenario, the audio subsystem 110comprises a tournament audio controller (TAC), which providesclosed-system chat capability for a plurality of users. In addition theTAC may be daisy-chained to provide a chat environment for more users.Each TAC may be operable to receive chat audio from one or more headsetswith microphones as well as from other TACs, and may provide anout-of-phase cancelling effect to remove a user's voice from their ownaudio signal while providing chat audio from all the other users.Additional details of an example tournament audio controller aredescribed below.

FIG. 1B depicts an example gaming audio subsystem comprising a headsetand a tournament audio controller. Shown are a headset 200 and a TAC195. The headset 200 communicates with the TAC 195 via a link 180 andthe TAC 195 communicates with the console 176 via a link 122. The link122 may be as described above. In an example implementation, the link180 may be a proprietary wireless link operating in an unlicensedfrequency band. In another example scenario, the link 180 may comprise awired connection. The headset 200 may be as described below withreference to FIGS. 2A-2C.

In gaming tournaments there are teams of multiple players who competeagainst each other. During the game play, the mic signal from eachplayer needs to be heard by every other player on the team. By simplymixing all of the microphone signals together and distributing thesummed mics to every player, each player would have his own microphonemixed in and hear himself at a fixed level. That player would not beable to cancel out his own microphone signal. A chat loop in accordancewith the disclosure fixes this issue. The TAC 195 may enable a chat loopand may be daisy-chained with TACs for other users in a loop.

Referring to FIG. 1C, again shown is the console 176 connected to aplurality of peripheral devices and a network 106. The exampleperipheral devices shown include a monitor 108, a user interface device102, a headset 200, an audio TAC 195, and a multi-purpose device 192.The TAC 195 may be operable to provide private chat capability for anumber of users, and may be daisy-chained with other TACs depending onthe desired number of users.

The monitor 108 and user interface device 102 are as described above. Anexample implementation of the headset 200 is described below withreference to FIGS. 2A-2C.

The multi-purpose device 192 may be, for example, a tablet computer, asmartphone, a laptop computer, or the like that runs an operating systemsuch as Android, Linux, Windows, iOS, OSX, or the like. Hardware (e.g.,a network adaptor) and software (i.e., the operating system and one ormore applications loaded onto the device 192) may configure the device192 for operating as part of the GPN 190. For example, an applicationrunning on the device 192 may cause display of a graphical userinterface via which a user can access gaming-related data, commands,functions, parameter settings, etc. and via which the user can interactwith the console 176 and the other devices of the GPN 190 to enhancehis/her gaming experience.

The peripheral devices 102, 108, 192, 195, and 200 are in communicationwith one another via a plurality of wired and/or wireless links(represented visually by the placement of the devices in the cloud ofGPN 190). Each of the peripheral devices in the gaming peripheralnetwork (GPN) 190 may communicate with one or more others of theperipheral devices in the GPN 190 in a single-hop or multi-hop fashion.For example, the headset 200 may communicate with the TAC 195 in asingle hop (e.g., over a proprietary RF link) and with the device 192 ina single hop (e.g., over a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi direct link), while thetablet may communicate with the TAC 195 in two hops via the headset 200.As another example, the user interface device 102 may communicate withthe headset 200 in a single hop (e.g., over a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi directlink) and with the device 192 in a single hop (e.g., over a Bluetooth orWi-Fi direct link), while the device 192 may communicate with theheadset 200 in two hops via the user interface device 102. These exampleinterconnections among the peripheral devices of the GPN 190 are merelyexamples, any number, combinations and/or types of links among thedevices of the GPN 190 is possible.

The GPN 190 may communicate with the console 176 via any one or more ofthe connections 114, 140, 122, and 120 described above. The GPN 190 maycommunicate with a network 106 via one or more links 194 each of whichmay be, for example, Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet, and/or the like.

A database 182 which stores gaming audio data is accessible via thenetwork 106. The gaming audio data may comprise, for example, signaturesof particular audio clips (e.g., individual sounds or collections orsequences of sounds) that are part of the game audio of particulargames, of particular levels/scenarios of particular games, particularcharacters of particular games, etc. In an example implementation, thedatabase 182 may comprise a plurality of records 183, where each record183 comprises an audio clip (or signature of the clip) 184, adescription of the clip 184 (e.g., the game it is from, when it occursin the game, etc.), one or more gaming commands 186 associated with theclip, one or more parameter settings 187 associated with the clip,and/or other data associated with the audio clip. Records 183 of thedatabase 182 may be downloadable to, or accessed in real-time by, one ormore devices of the GPN 190.

In an example scenario, the headset 200 may communicate with the gamingconsole 176 via the TAC 195, with the TAC 195 coupled to a plurality ofusers and other TACs. The TAC 195 may combine multiple audio inputswhile subtracting out specific audio for certain outputs, such as auser's voice in their own headset. The daisy-chaining of the TAC 195with other TACS provides secure chat capability for a configurablenumber of users.

While the headset 200 in FIGS. 1A-1C is shown communicating with agaming console 176, the disclosure is not so limited, as this is merelyan example use for the headset 200. Accordingly, the headset 200 may beutilized in other applications, such as a cellular phone headset, musicplayer headset, or as a headset in any other communications applicationand/or protocol where multiple users may want to communicateconcurrently.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown two views of an exampleheadset 200 that may present audio output by a gaming console such asthe console 176 and/or may be coupled to a TAC such as the TAC 195. Theheadset 200 comprises a headband 202, a microphone boom 206 withmicrophone 204, ear cups 208 a and 208 b which surround speakers 216 aand 216 b , connector 210, connector 214, and user controls 212.

The connector 210 may be, for example, a 3.5 mm headphone socket forreceiving analog audio signals (e.g., receiving chat audio via an Xbox“talkback” cable).

The microphone 204 converts acoustic waves (e.g., the voice of theperson wearing the headset) to electric signals for processing bycircuitry of the headset and/or for output to a device (e.g., console176, TAC 195, a smartphone, and/or the like) that is in communicationwith the headset.

The speakers 216 a and 216 b convert electrical signals to sound waves.

The user controls 212 may comprise dedicated and/or programmablebuttons, switches, sliders, wheels, etc., for performing variousfunctions. Example functions which the controls 212 may be configured toperform include: power the headset 200 on/off, mute/unmute themicrophone 204, control gain/volume of, and/or effects applied to, chataudio by the audio processing circuitry of the headset 200, controlgain/volume of, and/or effects applied to, game audio by the audioprocessing circuitry of the headset 200, enable/disable/initiate pairing(e.g., via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or the like) with another computingdevice, and/or the like.

The connector 214 may be, for example, a USB port. The connector 214 maybe used for downloading data to the headset 200 from another computingdevice and/or uploading data from the headset 200 to another computingdevice. Such data may include, for example, parameter settings(described below). Additionally, or alternatively, the connector 214 maybe used for communicating with another computing device such as asmartphone, tablet compute, laptop computer, or the like.

In an example scenario, the headset 200 may be coupled to a TAC, such asthe TAC 195, for chat communications with a plurality of users, whichmay be suitable for a gaming tournament situation, for example.

FIG. 2C depicts a block diagram of the example headset 200. In additionto the connector 210, user controls 212, connector 214, microphone 204,and speakers 216 a and 216 b already discussed, shown are a radio 220, aCPU 222, a storage device 224, a memory 226, an audio processing circuit230, a charge control module 232, a battery 234, and an induction coil236.

The radio 220 may comprise radio frequency (RF) circuitry operable tocommunicate in accordance with one or more standardized (such as, forexample, the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, the Bluetooth family ofstandards, and/or the like) and/or proprietary wireless protocol(s)(e.g., a proprietary protocol for receiving audio from an audiobasestation such as the TAC 195).

The CPU 222 may comprise circuitry operable to execute instructions forcontrolling/coordinating the overall operation of the headset 200. Suchinstructions may be part of an operating system or state machine of theheadset 200 and/or part of one or more software applications running onthe headset 200. In some implementations, the CPU 222 may be, forexample, a programmable interrupt controller, a state machine, or thelike.

The storage device 224 may comprise, for example, FLASH or othernonvolatile memory for storing data which may be used by the CPU 222and/or the audio processing circuitry 230. Such data may include, forexample, parameter settings that affect processing of audio signals inthe headset 200 and parameter settings that affect functions performedby the user controls 212. For example, one or more parameter settingsmay determine, at least in part, a gain of one or more gain elements ofthe audio processing circuitry 230. As another example, one or moreparameter settings may determine, at least in part, a frequency responseof one or more filters that operate on audio signals in the audioprocessing circuitry 230.

Example parameter settings which affect audio processing are describedin the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/040,144 titled“Gaming Headset with Programmable Audio” and published asUS2012/0014553, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. Particular parameter settings may be selected autonomously bythe headset 200 in accordance with one or more algorithms, based on userinput (e.g., via controls 212), and/or based on input received via oneor more of the connectors 210 and 214.

The memory 226 may comprise volatile memory used by the CPU 230 and/oraudio processing circuit 230 as program memory, for storing runtimedata, etc.

The audio processing circuit 230 may comprise circuitry operable toperform audio processing functions such as volume/gain control,compression, decompression, encoding, decoding, introduction of audioeffects (e.g., echo, phasing, virtual surround effect, etc.), and/or thelike. As described above, the processing performed by the audioprocessing circuit 230 may be determined, at least in part, by whichparameter settings have been selected. The processing may be performedon game, chat, and/or microphone audio that is subsequently output tospeaker 216 a and 216 b . Additionally, or alternatively, the processingmay be performed on chat audio that is subsequently output to theconnector 210 and/or radio 220.

The charge control module 232 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic,and/or code for controlling the charging of the battery 234.Accordingly, the charge control module 232 may receive electricalcurrent from the induction coil 236, which in turn receiveselectromagnetic energy from a charging induction coil in the chargingstation via inductive coupling. The charge control module may alsoreceive instructions from the CPU 222, which may receive instructionsfrom a charging station via the radio 230.

In an example scenario, an alternating current in the induction coil 236may be utilized by the charge control module 232 to charge the battery234. In this manner, the battery 234 may be charged without the need forany physical connection to a charging station, but merely by being inclose proximity, with the distance determined by the induction coil 236and associated coil in the charging station. Furthermore, the headset200 may receive commands wirelessly from the charging station in whichthe headset is placed, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

FIG. 3 depicts headsets coupled to daisy-chained tournament audiocontrollers. Referring to FIG. 3 , there is shown gaming console 176,daisy-chained TACs 195, and a plurality of headsets 200. The TACs 195may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, and/or code that is operable tocombine audio signals from a plurality of sources while eliminating somesignals using out-of-phase cancellation.

As stated previously, in gaming tournaments there are teams of multipleplayers who compete against each other. During the game play, the micsignal from each player needs to be heard by every other player on theteam. By simply mixing all of the microphone signals together anddistributing the summed mics to every player, each player would have hisown microphone mixed in and hear himself at a fixed level. That playerwould not be able to cancel out his own microphone signal.

In an example scenario, in tournament play each player has his or herown TAC 195 coupled to their headset. The TACs 195 may receive audiosignals from the game console 176 as well as audio signals frommicrophones in the headsets 200. The TACs 195 allow for the gamer toadjust via the four sliders the game/chat ratio, microphone noise gatefor the reduction of background noise, microphone level, and microphonemonitor. A knob may provide volume control. The microphone monitorfunction is discussed further with respect to FIG. 4 , and enables achat loop with multiple players while configuring the sound heard byeach user as desired without their own voice at the same volume as otherusers. The microphone monitor allows the user to adjust the amount ofhis own microphone that gets mixed back in to his own headset so he mayhear him or herself.

As shown in FIG. 3 , multiple TACs 195 may be coupled together in adaisy chain configuration. The microphone output from the headset maypass from the first TAC to the second TAC. When it is received by thesecond TAC, the microphone signal of the first TAC may be summed withthe microphone signal of the second unit and passed to the third. Thiscontinues until the last unit. The TACs 195 may detect if a cable isplugged into another unit so that each unit knows if it is in the middleor at the end of chain. If it is detected that it is the last TAC, thenthe last TAC will take all the summed microphone signals and pass themback to the previous TAC. In turn each TAC will pass the summed signalsback to the previous TAC until it gets back to the first TAC.

Because the summed microphone signals get passed back to the previousTAC, each TAC 195 will hear the Chat Loop Audio that contains everyplayer's voice. Each TAC 195 will receive the total Chat Audio and thenmix in the microphone of the user at the same amplitude but 180 degreesout of phase, which cancels his or her own voice from the Chat Loopinside his or her own TAC 195. Then the Microphone signal may be mixedin at the level at which the user sets the Mic Monitor fader control.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of a tournament audio controller, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure. Referring toFIG. 4 , there is shown an example schematic of TAC 195 comprisingsummers 401A-401E, a chat loop switch 403, and a plurality ofinput/output (I/O) terminals, indicated by the boxes at the left side ofthe TAC 195 in FIG. 4 .

The summers 401A-401E may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, and/orcode that is operable to receive a plurality of input signals andprovide an output signal that is a sum of the input signals. Forexample, the summer 401A may receive the positive signal from themicrophone output 409, the positive signal from the Chat Loop from theprevious TAC, and the negative chat loop signal from the previous TACOutput 407, and generate an output that is the sum of these signals, thesum being communicated to the chat loop switch 403 and also back to theChat Loop Output to Next TAC Input 413. The summers 401A-401E may alsobe operable to convert a differential input to a single-ended output. Inaddition, the summers 401A-401E may configure the gain level of eachinput based on the user settings so that a user may select the volume oftheir own voice in the chat loop mix, for example.

The chat loop switch 403 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, and/orcode that is operable to switch signals based on what position it has ina chain of TACs. In an example scenario where a plurality of TACs aredaisy-chained, each TAC sends the summed audio to the next TAC, as shownthe feedback path from the outputs of the mixers 401A and 401B, the CHATLOOP Output to next TAC input 413. The chat loop switch 403 may eithersend the Summed Chat audio back to the Previous TAC if it is the lastTAC, as shown by the CHAT LOOP Output to Previous TAC Input 405, or maytake the audio from the next TAC, the Chat Loop Return from Next TACOutput 411, and send it to the previous TAC if it is not the last in thechain.

In an example scenario, the microphone output 409 comprises a balancedoutput with the + and − signals being communicated to the summers 401Aand 401B, which results in a differential to single-ended conversionwith an 180 degree inversion. Because the summed microphone signals getpassed back to the previous TAC, each TAC will hear the Chat Loop Audiothat contains every player's voice. In addition, due to the balancedoutput of the microphone, the signal may be canceled at another portionof the TAC 195 by summing signals with 180 degree phase difference.

Each TAC may receive the total Chat Audio and then mix in the microphoneof the user at the same or adjusted amplitude 180 degrees out of phaseat the summers 401D and 401E. This may configure the magnitude of, orcancel entirely, the user's own voice from the Chat Loop inside theirown TAC 195, after which the Microphone signal may be mixed in at thelevel at which the user sets the Mic Monitor fader control. In thismanner, the summers 401 D and 401E may configure the volume of theuser's own microphone signal for their headset.

In addition, the console input 415 may be summed with the chat loop bythe summers 401 D and 401 E. In an example scenario, each TAC in thedaisy chain may be coupled to a game console that provides an audiosignal corresponding to the user's activity so that each user hearstheir own game sound signal and the same chat loop signal as other usersbut with their own voice mixed in as configured by the user.

The total chat 417 may be communicated to the user headset or to adigital signal processor (DSP) for further processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for daisy chainingtournament audio controllers. Referring to FIG. 5 , there is shown aflow chart 500, comprising a plurality of example steps.

In starting step 502, a headset may be coupled to each TAC, each ofwhich may be daisy-chained with the other TACs. In step 504, themicrophone signal from the user of a particular TAC may be summed withthe chat loop signal received from the previous TAC, resulting insingle-ended inverted signals from the MIC+ and MIC− signals.

In step 506, the MIC+chat loop audio may be sent to the next TAC or thechat loop audio may be communicated back to the previous TAC if last inthe chain.

In step 508, the MIC− signal may be summed with the chat loop+MIC+signal, and the console input to cancel the MIC signal and result in thechat loop signal. In step 510, the resulting chat loop signal may becommunicated to the associated headset or to a DSP for furtherprocessing before being communicated to the headset.

In an example embodiment of the disclosure daisy chaining tournamentaudio controllers are disclosed and may comprise a headset coupled to afirst tournament audio controller (TAC), where the first TAC being is ina daisy chain of TACs. The headset is operable to: receive a chat signalfrom a previous TAC in the daisy chain of TACs, receive a microphonesignal from a microphone in the headset, sum the chat signal with themicrophone signal, communicate the summed chat signal and microphonesignal to a next TAC in the daisy chain if the first TAC is not at anend of the daisy chain of TACs, and communicate the chat signal to theheadset.

The microphone signal may be removed from the summed chat signal andmicrophone signal by adding a second microphone signal 180 degrees outof phase with the microphone signal. The chat signal may be summed withthe microphone signal at an amplitude set by a user of the headset afterthe removal of the microphone signal from the summed chat signal andmicrophone signal. The summed chat signal and microphone signal (summedat an amplitude set by the user) may be communicated to the headset.

The summed chat signal and microphone signal may be communicated to theprevious TAC in the daisy chain if the first TAC is at an end of thedaisy chain of TACs. A signal from a gaming console may be summed withthe summed chat signal and microphone signal. Each TAC in the daisychain of TACs may be coupled to a headset. The chat signal may compriseaudio from the headsets coupled to each of the TACs in the daisy chain.The received chat signal may be converted from a differential signal toa single-ended signal before being summed with the microphone signal.The microphone signal may comprise a balanced signal.

The present method and/or system may be realized in hardware, software,or a combination of hardware and software. The present methods and/orsystems may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputing system, or in a distributed fashion where different elementsare spread across several interconnected computing systems. Any kind ofcomputing system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computing system with a program orother code that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computingsystem such that it carries out the methods described herein. Anothertypical implementation may comprise an application specific integratedcircuit or chip. Some implementations may comprise a non-transitorymachine-readable (e.g., computer readable) medium (e.g., FLASH drive,optical disk, magnetic storage disk, or the like) having stored thereonone or more lines of code executable by a machine, thereby causing themachine to perform processes as described herein.

While the present method and/or system has been described with referenceto certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the scope of the present methodand/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intendedthat the present method and/or system not be limited to the particularimplementations disclosed, but that the present method and/or systemwill include all implementations falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is: 1-20 (canceled)
 21. A system, the system comprising:a primary audio device comprising a microphone and a speaker, whereinthe primary audio device is configured to operate in a series with oneor more auxiliary audio devices to: generate a first chat signal bysumming a second chat signal with a microphone signal from themicrophone; receive the second chat signal from a first auxiliary audiodevice of the one or more auxiliary audio devices; transmit the firstchat signal to the first auxiliary audio device, when the primary audiodevice is at an end of the series; and transfer a third chat signal froma second auxiliary audio device, of the one or more auxiliary audiodevices, to the first auxiliary audio device, when the primary audiodevice is not at an end of the series.
 22. The system of claim 21,wherein the primary audio device is operable to remove the microphonesignal from the first chat signal by subtracting the microphone signal.23. The system of claim 21, the primary audio device is operable to sumthe second chat signal with the microphone signal at an amplitude set bythe primary audio device to generate a scaled chat signal.
 24. Thesystem of claim 23, wherein the primary audio device is operable tocommunicate the scaled chat signal.
 25. The system of claim 21, whereinthe primary audio device comprise a chat loop switch coupled to twosummers, each of which is coupled to a separate terminal of themicrophone.
 26. The system of claim 21, wherein the primary audio deviceis operable to sum a signal from a gaming console with the first chatsignal.
 27. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or more auxiliaryaudio devices are each operably coupled to the primary audio device. 28.The system of claim 27, wherein the first chat signal comprises audiofrom each audio device in the series.
 29. The system of claim 21,wherein the microphone signal is a balanced signal.
 30. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the primary audio device is operable to convert thesecond chat signal from a differential signal to a single-ended signalwhile being summed with the microphone signal.
 31. A method forprocessing audio signals, the method comprising: in a primary audiodevice in a series with one or more auxiliary audio devices: generatinga first chat signal by summing a second chat signal with a microphonesignal; receiving the second chat signal from a first auxiliary audiodevice of the one or more auxiliary audio devices; communicating a thirdchat signal from a second auxiliary audio device, of the one or moreauxiliary audio devices, to the first auxiliary audio device, if theprimary audio device is not at an end of the series; and communicatingthe first chat signal to the first auxiliary audio device, if theprimary audio device is at an end of the series.
 32. The method of claim31, comprising removing the microphone signal from the first chat signalby adding a second microphone signal 180 degrees out of phase with themicrophone signal.
 33. The method of claim 32, comprising summing thefirst chat signal with the microphone signal, at an amplitude set by theprimary audio device, to generate a scaled chat signal.
 34. The methodof claim 33, comprising communicating the scaled chat signal.
 35. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the primary audio device comprises a chatloop switch coupled to two summers, each of which is coupled to aseparate terminal of a microphone.
 36. The method of claim 31,comprising summing a signal from a gaming console with the first chatsignal.
 37. The method of claim 31, wherein the one or more auxiliaryaudio devices are each operably coupled to the first audio device. 38.The method of claim 37, wherein the first chat signal comprises audiofrom each of the auxiliary audio devices the series.
 39. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the microphone signal is a balanced signal.
 40. Themethod of claim 31, comprising converting the second chat signal from adifferential signal to a single-ended signal while being summed with themicrophone signal.